# Should I visit Myanmar at all ?
WaaNeiZa There are many pros and cons. The overall economic situation and American sanctions (since 2003) has brought hardship to ordinary people in Myanmar. Many people support themselves and their families by income generated from tourism. Be it directly through employment in hotels or as tour guides, souvenir producers, sidecar (rickshaw) drivers, food stall operators or fruit and cigarette vendors, local people work hard in the tourist industry. Myanmar people appreciate contacts to foreign visitors and the outside world. Within the country, you will find only few local people, who support a boycott. At the end, everybody has to answer the question for her or himself. As a visitor, you have the choice to spend your money where you think it will most benefit the people. After cyclone Nargis in May 2008, many people were asking themselves that question again. To give people support and let them earn an income is probably the much better way than giving hand-outs.
# How is healthcare in Myanmar ?
Substandard health facilities probably pose the biggest risk when traveling through Myanmar. Outside of large cities medical facilities are not satisfactory, even in Yangon hospitals rarely reach international standards. Do bring with you sufficient supplies of any medicine you may depend on, and possibly a first-aid kit. Especially in larger towns, plenty of medicine is available, however often there are warnings of fake drugs.
# What food do Myanmar people eat - Is it safe to eat anywhere ?
Although there are great regional differences, food tends to be quite oily or spicy. Myanmar people eat a lot of rice, fish, "Ngapi" (fermented fish paste) and vegetables. The average meal will consist of rice, a curry and some vegetables. "Mohingha" (fish soup with rice noodles) is a favorite food and well known amongst foreigners. It is eaten usually in the morning. Dried fish is also very popular. MSG (Monosodium Glutamate - locally known as Ajinomoto) is frequently used in large quantities. When ordering, you may request not to use MSG, but this is not always followed through. The best way to avoid possible stomach problems is to look carefully at the hygiene of restaurants. A dirty looking restaurant with few customers is not a good sign. Usually foreigners are warned to not eat at small food stalls, whereas one can see the worse hygienic conditions. Be careful with raw food and fruits, especially those you can't peel. Please avoid crushed ice, whereas ice cubes should be no problem. Do not drink tap water but bottled water with intact seals only.
# Should I take Malaria prophylaxis for a trip to Myanmar ?
The first advice on this should always be: Avoid mosquito bites!! Especially at dawn, wear long clothes and use mosquito repellents. The answer on prophylaxis is a very difficult one depends on where you go and at what time of the year. The side effects are sometimes very strong and there is no guarantee that you will prevent getting Malaria with a prophylaxis. At the main tourist points Malaria is however rare, except on land routes into the mountains and at the beaches. Doctors with experience in tropical regions or Tropical institute offer the best advice based on your itinerary.
# Do I need any insurance for travel to Myanmar ?
Although there is no mandatory insurance required, we suggest the following: Health insurance with emergency evacuation (please be sure to check with your insurance company that they do cover your trip to Myanmar). Cancellation trip insurance. Very few service providers in Myanmar have an adequate insurance to cover guest's claims; if any at all.
# Can I access my e-mails and internet in Myanmar ?
There are currently a number of Internet cafes in the main tourist areas and larger towns. However a great number of e-mail providers are blocked. You may use a local address provided by the shop to send your emails. Aside from e-mail providers, only very few web-pages are blocked.
# Can I use my mobile phone in Myanmar ?
Mobile phones, if discovered in the past in your luggage, had to be deposited with customs until your departure. In the last few years, we however did not hear anymore of enforcing that practice. There are since beginning of 2009 GSM and CDMA prepaid cards available also to foreigners!
# How do I have to behave in Myanmar? What offends Myanmar people ?
Myanmar is still a country with very conservative manners. Please act and dress accordingly. Wearing very short skirts or shorts is considered impolite especially while visiting Pagodas. Pointing out to something with your legs and patting someone on the head is also regarded as a bad manner. Sitting etc. on Buddha images e.g. for photographs is absolutely unacceptable.
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